SACRAMENTO, California, June 6, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - California Assembly Democrats voted Tuesday to pass a bill that would legalize homosexual “marriage” in the state. The legislation was pushed through on the strength of just one vote over the minimum required.

Assembly Bill 43 would strike the words “male” and “female” from the marriage code, substituting the phrase “two persons” in the definition of marriage. The bill was introduced by homosexual Assemblyman Mark Leno as the latest addition to a string of legislation he has brought forward over the past five years in an effort to legalize homosexual "marriage".

The State Assembly voted 42-34 to pass the bill, ignoring a vote in 2000 to retain the traditional definition of marriage that was supported by more than 60 percent of California voters.

“The State Assembly has turned its back on California’s families yet again,” said Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) lobbyist Benjamin Lopez, in a press release published June 5.

“It is clear that Democrats are in bed with the radical homosexual community and they will implement their agenda and bow to their every demand all in the name of so-called ‘civil rights’ and ‘equality.’” Lopez said. “This vote makes it clear that it is Democrats in the Legislature that are determined to get homosexual marriage enacted any way they can. They will go around the ballot box and go around the people of California.”

“If supporters of same-sex marriage are so confident that the public supports homosexual marriage like they boast and brag, why don’t they go to the public directly?” Lopez asked. “Why don’t they let the people vote on the issue? They will not! They will not do so because they would lose and they know it. So, instead they must resort to liberal legislators and rogue judges to forcibly implement same-sex marriage.”

Californians voted in favour of keeping the traditional definition of marriage during the March 2000 Primary Election, when 61.4% of California voters passed Proposition 22, which stated: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” 101 out of 120 legislative districts voted in favor of Prop 22, according to TVC.

Lawmakers who voted for the current homosexual marriage bill derided constituents for being “discriminatory” and “bigoted” in opposing gay marriage, said Karen England, Executive Director of Capitol Resource Institute.

“The arrogant majority in the California legislature have decided that they know better than the people by voting to force AB 43 on California,” England said in a statement to the press. “The people of California clearly decided this issue when they passed Proposition 22. It is outrageous for legislators to waste time and money debating an issue that Californians have decided.”

“Especially alarming was the tone of lawmakers as they argued in favor of AB 43. The contempt lawmakers have for the constituents they supposedly represent is appalling. Instead of respecting the decision voters made with the passage of Proposition 22, lawmakers chided them for being ‘discriminatory’ and ‘bigoted’.”

Assemblywoman Laura Richardson , who voted for the bill, said even if her constituents voted to retain traditional marriage, she must make the right decision and override their decision, according to the CRI. Assemblyman Lloyd Levine said “what we have here is the need to overcome fear” and prejudice.

The bill will now go before the State Senate. TVC pledged to be “relentless” in letting Senators know that Californians do not want homosexual marriage.